The Three Ways To Find Flow
A Guide for Committed Difference-Makers
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Ever wake up and start your morning with a burst of creativity or end a workout feeling profoundly physically and mentally rejuvenated? Ever wonder why certain moments leave you feeling deeply fulfilled and lost in the task at hand?
These experiences hint at the highly sought state of flow.
Let’s explore this elusive state, which blends focus, fulfillment, and productivity, making any task, from the mundane to the complex, an avenue for profound engagement and satisfaction.
What is flow?
Have you ever experienced a moment, maybe even an extended one, of being fully immersed and engaged in an activity? Was it fun? Did you find fulfillment in the process itself?
That’s flow.
According to Mihaly Csikszentmihályi, who literally wrote the book on this subject, characteristics of flow include:
Present Focus: Full engagement with the here and now.
Unified Action and Awareness: Seemless merging of actions and awareness.
Beyond Self-consciousness: Transcence of self-doubt and inner-criticism.
Control: Navigation of tasks with confidence and mastery.
Time Transformation: Experiencing a shift in time perception, often feeling faster or slower.
Intrinsic Joy: Finding deep satisfaction in the activity itself, beyond external rewards.
Some people refer to being in a flow state as “being in the zone.” Many of my clients experience it more often when engaged in activities that align with their purpose or calling.1
Although flow is a psychological state, it is often induced by physical or spiritual activity.
Flow is achieved under certain conditions, such as:
Having clear goals
Immediate feedback
A balance between the perceived challenge of the task and one’s skills.
Flow is more likely to occur when the activity is engaged for its intrinsic values rather than external rewards or recognitions. This state is not only limited to artistic or creative endeavors but can be experienced in a wide range of activities, including sports, writing, and even everyday tasks, provided they engage one’s full attention and skills.
So, how can you induce a flow state and stay there more often?
I’m glad you asked. Turns out there are two ways to find and engage flow quickly.